What happens in the Departed Realm, Stays in the Departed Realm

Intermission

Meanwhile in other parts of the Departed Realm...

——
Kai would like to think he wasn't idiot and that he never did anything stupid.
However, many people would disagree with him.
He wouldn't be in this situation now if he wasn't dumb.
He had no idea where he was. But at least he wasn't alone.
"How long until we find civilization? I'm hungry!" Cole complained l
"You're always hungry."
Well, that doesn't invalidate my emotions! How could you be so cruel! I thought we were friends!"
"Listen up, buddy. Our main priority is getting out of this cursed forest. My own brother-in-law and my sister are fighting alone."
"Who do you think you are? The leader of this operation?"
"Well, considering you're the only one complaining about food, then yes. And it is because you are the only one here."
They were in a forest. Honestly, Kai was expecting that they would end up in a white void. Some technically-advanced never ending room that is basically a human trash bin.
"If only we had a guide in this forest. GPS definitely won't work here."
"Who would willingly be a dark forest?"

"It isn't always this dark." a voice said from above them.
They looked up and saw a woman sitting on a branch in the dim lighting.
"Who are you?" Cole asked
"One of the scouts employed by the realm's saviors. When you're a hero, you can't really be in multiple places at once. So the realm's saviors employee people to watch for any suspicious activity all over the realm. We basically report what we see and determine the severity of the situation and how to proceed." the girl said
"The realm's saviors? Aren't we in a digital wastebin? Are you saying we are not? What realm are we in?" Cole asked
"It's great you're finally doing something, buddy." Kai said. He was still slightly annoyed that Cole complained about being hungry, but at least he was taking this woman seriously.
"There's no easy way to put this.  You are in the Departed Realm."the girl announced bluntly
"Impossible. We're alive! It was just a game!" Cole exclaimed
The girl narrowed her eyes.
"Denial gets you nowhere. This is an afterlife, you exist after death. A death is a death, no matter the unusual circumstances." the girl said
"Well, that's nice. But seriously, we need to get back."
"Ok." the girl said pulling out some tech. She quickly enter some information, and was prepared to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"This is definitely not a part of my job description. I'm informing my superiors and taking a leave."
The mysterious woman began to walk out of the forest.
"Wait!" Cole exclaimed.
The girl momentarily turned around.
"Perhaps, you could at least get us to a civilization?" Cole asked
She just smiled and gestured for them to follow.
—-

The courtroom feels heavy, filled with the weight of judgment. Madeline stands before the judge, with her lawyer beside her. At her side sat her friends Kiara and James. Though they didn't know her ex-partner well, they provided the silent support she needed during the trial. Morro did insist he would like attend as well, however, she knew that he needed a break.

Across the room is the man she'd spent a majority of her afterlife with. His face is cold and unreadable, but there's a subtle smugness in his eyes, as if he is in control.

Many would think that because they were together for so long they would be married after death. But the reality was that she never wanted to marry him. She felt that although he made a decent partner, he was not made to be a good husband.

Madeline stares at him her eyes locking onto his. For a moment, her ex partner meets her eyes, giving her a twisted smile as if nothing had phased him.

His lawyer stood up to address the court. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've heard claims of manipulation and abuse, but let us not forget the truth. My client loved her deeply. She needed someone to guide her, and he did everything in his power to care for Madeline. But instead, we are asked to condemn him for offering support, for trying to keep her safe from outside influences."